from דָּמַם; still; adverbially, silently; dumb, silent, quietly wait.
Transliteration:dûwmâm
Pronunciation:doo-mawm'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew adverb `{{H1748}}` (dûwmâm) is derived from the root `{{H1826}}` (damam), which signifies "to be silent," "to be still," "to cease," or "to be cut off." As an adverbial form, dûwmâm describes the manner or state of being. Its primary meanings encompass:
* **Stillness:** A state of motionlessness or inactivity.
* **Silence:** The absence of sound or speech.
* **Dumbness:** An inability to speak, often implying a forced or imposed silence.
* **Quiet Waiting:** A patient and still anticipation, often with an underlying sense of hope or expectation.
The word captures a cessation of activity, noise, or verbal expression, which can be voluntary (as in patient waiting) or involuntary (as in forced silence due to judgment or paralysis).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H1748}}` appears in a limited number of biblical texts, each revealing distinct nuances:
* **[[Lamentations 3:26]]**: "It is good that one should hope and quietly wait (וְדוּמָם) for the salvation of the LORD." Here, dûwmâm describes a deliberate and patient posture of trust. In the context of profound suffering, the prophet encourages a quiet, hopeful reliance on God's deliverance, emphasizing stillness as an act of faith and endurance.
* **[[Isaiah 47:5]]**: "Sit in silence (דּוּמָם), and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms." This verse is a prophetic pronouncement against Babylon. The command to "sit in silence" is a decree of humiliation and judgment. It signifies the end of Babylon's boastful reign and her reduction to a state of powerless quietude, stripped of her former glory and voice.
* **[[Jeremiah 8:14]]**: "Why do we sit still (דּוּמָם)? Assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence..." In this lament, the people question their own inaction in the face of impending disaster. dûwmâm here reflects a state of paralysis, a bewildered stillness or silence that precedes or accompanies overwhelming doom. It contrasts with a call to decisive action.
* **[[Jeremiah 47:5]]**: "Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou wait in silence (דּוּמָם)?" This prophetic lament over the Philistines' destruction uses dûwmâm to describe a state of passive resignation or an inability to respond to the devastation. It questions the duration of their helpless, silent suffering.
Across these contexts, dûwmâm illustrates stillness or silence as an expression of hopeful trust, divine judgment, human paralysis, or passive resignation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of `{{H1748}}` is enhanced by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **`{{H1826}}` (damam):** The root verb, meaning "to be silent," "to be still," "to cease," or "to perish." dûwmâm is the adverbial form, describing the *manner* of this cessation or stillness. Examples include [[Psalm 4:4]] ("be silent" from anger) and [[Joshua 10:13]] (the sun "stood still").
* **`{{H2013}}` (hasah):** "To be silent," "to keep silence." Often used in contexts of reverent silence before God, as in [[Habakkuk 2:20]] ("let all the earth keep silence before him"). While similar in outcome, hasah often implies a commanded or reverential silence, whereas dûwmâm focuses more on the state of being still or silent.
* **`{{H7958}}` (shaqat):** "To be quiet," "to be at rest," "to be undisturbed." This term often describes a state of peace or tranquility. While dûwmâm can contribute to such a state, it can also describe an imposed quietude or inaction that is far from peaceful.
* **Patience and Hope:** In [[Lamentations 3:26]], dûwmâm is closely associated with `{{H3176}}` (yachal - to wait, hope) and `{{H3444}}` (yeshua - salvation). This connection highlights a theological link between stillness/silence and active dependence on God.
* **Inaction vs. Action:** In Jeremiah's laments, dûwmâm often stands in tension with the need for action, emphasizing a state of passivity or helplessness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1748}}` (dûwmâm) is profound and varied:
1. **Trust and Submission:** In [[Lamentations 3:26]], dûwmâm embodies a deep theological principle: the quiet, patient waiting upon God's salvation in times of distress. This is not a passive surrender to fate, but an active, faith-filled submission to divine timing and sovereignty. It echoes the call to "Be still, and know that I am God" ([[Psalm 46:10]]), signifying a trust that God is at work even when circumstances are bleak and His hand seems hidden.
2. **Divine Judgment and Humiliation:** As seen in [[Isaiah 47:5]], dûwmâm serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment. The proud and powerful are commanded to be silent, stripped of their voice and authority. This silence is a tangible manifestation of God's power to humble the arrogant and bring low those who defy Him, demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers.
3. **Human Helplessness and Despair:** The usage in Jeremiah ([[Jeremiah 8:14]], [[Jeremiah 47:5]]) points to a different theological dimension: the human experience of paralysis or despair in the face of overwhelming calamity. This dûwmâm is not chosen but imposed by circumstances, reflecting a state where human agency seems futile. It highlights the vulnerability of humanity when confronted with the consequences of sin or the relentless march of destruction.
4. **God's Sovereignty:** Across all its occurrences, dûwmâm ultimately points to the absolute sovereignty of God. Whether it is a silence born of faithful waiting, a silence imposed by divine wrath, or a silence of human helplessness, God is the orchestrator. He is the one who can command stillness, bring about silence, and ultimately break that silence with His salvation or His judgment, asserting His ultimate control over all creation and human affairs.
### Summary
The Hebrew adverb `{{H1748}}` (dûwmâm), derived from `{{H1826}}` (damam), primarily conveys the meaning of "still" or "silently," extending to "dumb" or "quietly waiting." Its few occurrences in the Hebrew Bible reveal a rich theological spectrum. In [[Lamentations 3:26]], it signifies a profound act of patient, hopeful trust in God's salvation amidst suffering. Conversely, in [[Isaiah 47:5]], dûwmâm marks the imposition of divine judgment, depicting the humiliation and silencing of a proud nation. In the book of Jeremiah ([[Jeremiah 8:14]], [[Jeremiah 47:5]]), it can reflect a state of inaction, paralysis, or passive resignation in the face of crisis.
Collectively, dûwmâm underscores the multifaceted nature of silence and stillness in the biblical narrative. It can be an expression of deep faith and submission to divine will, a direct consequence of divine wrath, or a poignant depiction of human helplessness. In all its manifestations, dûwmâm ultimately testifies to the unwavering sovereignty of God, who orchestrates moments of stillness, commands silence, and works through both quiet waiting and decisive judgment to accomplish His purposes.
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